FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

Elizabeth Preston

League of American Bicyclists

202-822-1333

[email protected]

 

Denver, CO—June 22, 2005

Andy Clarke of the League of American Bicyclists will present John Hickenlooper, mayor of Denver, with a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community award on June 22 at 8:15 a.m. in Civic Center Park.

 

The Bicycle Friendly Community designation recognizes communities for excellence in engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation/planning for cyclists. For Denver, the bronze award is actually a step down from the silver medal it received in 2003. While the city has created an extensive trail network, supports top-notch cycling events, and has a bike-friendly master plan, it has missed recent opportunities to improve its bicycling infrastructure.

However, even a bronze award is an enormous achievement; Denver is one of only three cities of its size that has been awarded a Bicycle Friendly Community designation. Reviewers were impressed with some of the positive efforts underway locally, such as the construction of the Cherry Creek Bike Station and a planned bike/pedestrian I-25 overpass that will connect the Highlands district with Confluence Park.

 

“The League is delighted to again recognize Denver for its efforts to welcome bicyclists and make bicycling safer and more enjoyable,” said Andy Clarke, executive director of the League.

 

Denver is one of four Bicycle Friendly Communities in Colorado, joining Longmont, Boulder, and Fort Collins. League staff and reviewers consider several factors before granting a community BFC status, including:

•  The physical environment for bicycling—on-street facilities, trails, parking etc.

• Education programs to promote a "share the road" ethic among bicyclists and drivers
• Promotional initiatives to persuade people to ride or ride more often
• Enforcement of traffic laws for both motorists and bicyclists
• Future plans and evaluation techniques to improve conditions further
  

The League's BFC program has become a catalyst for positive change in communities across the country. “We encourage Denver to renew its dedication to improve conditions for bicycling and try to re-achieve the silver-level in two years,” Clarke said. “None of the communities we've designated have been satisfied with the level of their award. They all want to do better; they want to do more to encourage bicycling, and they want to move up to the next level. We are confident Denver can do just that.”

 

The League's Bicycle Friendly Community Campaign is a national grassroots effort to increase the number of trips made by bike, promote physical fitness, and help make communities more livable. The Campaign works in the most effective way possible-town by town, city by city-to encourage bicycling and achieve a bicycle-friendly America. The Campaign is supported by generous grants from the Bikes Belong Coalition ( www.bikesbelong.org ).

 

The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. The League represents the interests of America's 57 million bicyclists, including its 300,000 members and affiliates. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org and www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org .

 

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